Devils shuffle lines after another shutout

Saed Hindash/The Star-LedgerDainius Zubrus is now the center on a line with Ilya Kovalchuk.

There was a new center wearing the gray practice sweater between Devils wingers Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Vasyunov this afternoon. Dainius Zubrus swapped spots with Travis Zajac, who is now line mates with Brian Rolston and David Clarkson.
The moves were made one day after the Devils’ 3-0 loss to the Bruins on Monday, marking the team’s third shutout in six games.

“We didn’t score last game and it was something that I’ve been thinking about,” coach John MacLean said. “I thought we’d give it a couple of days here in practice. It was a good time to make the move.”

The Devils play next on Thursday in Toronto. Their 12 points trump only the Islanders in the Eastern Conference, and their 37 goals are third worst in the NHL.

“I think you can see that (MacLean) is trying to find chemistry; it’s not a lack of effort on his part,” Rolston said. “I think it’s a good move. I think Zubie is going to be good with Kovy. They have a certain rapport together. And I can play a game with Trav that’s simple and can get opportunities.”

MacLean said he’s “just trying a different look” and thinks Zubrus can invigorate Kovalchuk and Vasyunov. Kovalchuk and Zubrus both said their previous experience together could help avoid an acclamation process because they’ve already established chemistry. The line will speak Russian together on the ice.

“Sometimes you put guys and off they go, and sometimes you need to address things and talk more,” Zubrus said. “Luckily, you can see we all grew up in the same hockey system, so maybe some of that will transfer over.”

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Goalie Martin Brodeur practiced today despite a bruised right elbow, an indication that he’s feeling better. Brodeur said he felt fine after practice.

“It still a little sore, but I figured I needed to get some shots,” Brodeur said. “Just the traffic stuff I stay away a little bit, like the 3-on-2s, so I didn’t have to poke check anybody and tried to save it for a few days for the next game.”